In Uganda, buffaloes, specifically the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), are a common sight on safari, particularly in savanna and grassland areas. They are known for their large herds and are easily recognizable by their black or dark brown coats, distinctive horns, and large ears. Buffaloes are considered one of the “Big Five” animals in Uganda and are often seen in national parks like Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Kidepo Valley.
If the Cape buffalo is high on your wish list for sightings during the safari you are lucky since they are easy to tick off. In Uganda the Cape buffalo or African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is found in all the national parks with savanna. Like Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison Falls national park and Kidepo Valley national park. The Cape buffalo qualifies as one of the famous “big 5” together with lion, elephant, leopard, and rhinoceros.
Being commonly seen during game-drives it is one of those animals. We can pretty much promise you to see while on safari in Uganda. During daytime they are usually seen resting in water or mud to help regulating the body temperature. But don’t be fooled by the docile look of buffaloes resting, Cape buffalo is actually one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. With their defensive and changeable moods. As well as weight of around 600-900 kg they deserve to be treated with respect.
Cape buffaloes are herbivores who are not so picky with their habitat, as long as there is grass and water around they can make it a home. This together with the fact that they don’t have many enemies have made them a successful species. Besides humans adult buffaloes don’t have many enemies. Lions are known to take them but the buffaloes will put up a fight as a distress call from one buffalo is answered by the heard coming to assist. The young calves are prey for a few more predators as they can be taken by crocodiles, cheetah, leopard and spotted hyena as well as lion, but the herd does its best to protect its young ones keeping them at the center of the herd when a threat is around.
Chances for good sightings of Cape Buffalo
If going on a boat-cruise on Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth national park or on the Nile in Murchison Falls national park you will see Cape buffaloes wallowing in the shallow waters. During a morning or evening game-drive you have the chance to see big herds out on the savanna.
